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FIRST LOOK

First Look: Harrison Ford as Col. Graff in 'Ender's Game' Adaptation

by Alex Billington
December 5, 2012
Source: EW.com

Time to meet Colonel Hyrum Graff. This must mean something is coming soon - a poster, a teaser, a trailer, more marketing, photos, something else. EW.com has unveiled a first look photo at Gavin Hood's Ender's Game sci-fi adaptation of Orson Scott Card's novel. They're adapting the movie as closely to the novel as they can, which is about training young kids in the future at a battle school where they become expert pilots. Colonel Graff, played by the one-and-only actor Harrison Ford, is assigned to watch over Ender, played by Asa Butterfield, possibly one of the greatest students to ever grace the zero-gravity halls of Battle School.

Here's the new photo via EW.com. I believe Graff is ~~talking~~ yelling at Ender standing next to his friend Alai.

70 years after an alien war, an unusually gifted child is sent to an advanced military school in space to prepare for a future invasion. "The relationship between [Harrison] and Asa [Ender] was very close, but he didn't overly befriend him off the set. He helped Asa by allowing that slight sense of intimidation to be there," explains writer/director Gavin Hood. Ender's Game, based on Orson Scott Card's beloved 1985 novel of the same name, is written & directed by Gavin Hood (Tsotsi, Rendition, X-Men Origins) produced by Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci. It also co-stars Ben Kingsley, Hailee Steinfeld, Abigail Breslin and Viola Davis. Summit/Lionsgate will be releasing Ender's Game in theaters starting November 1st, 2013 late next year.

Filed under Feat, First Look, Photos, SciFi

From around the web:

earthlingdave

Majorly conflicted. Love the book, love Harrison...HATE the author as he is a radicalized ultra-right wing homophobe...
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Brad-White/1458067169 Brad White
  
  Sounds good to me...lol, don't take it so serious..
- kodekn
  
  I listened Ender's Game as an audiobook years ago, and what mostly stuck in my mind about it was that it made the author seem extremely interested in young boys. I've heard other people say the same thing, too, but of course that doesn't mean that Orson Scott Card is a pedo, neither the people who like the book. It was just my gut feeling during and after the listening. I didn't actually know that he's an ultra-right wing homophobe but now that you've said it I am free to hate the guy officially.
  - Jericho
    
    he IS mormon militant so its no shocker....
  - Anon
    
    I agree with you. And hes only written like a couple of books about children. Makes you wonder how many kids J.K.Rowling must have slept with.
    - kodekn
      
      Yeah well I never got any pedo vibes from J.K. Rowlings' books. I don't know why Ender's Game gave me those vibes, and I don't even remember was there anything sexual in it. I guess it was just how the kids were portrayed. Card seems to have loads of kids so perhaps he just has his own world with them, who knows. But I do remember wondering why the hell this book is considered classic, and didn't really have any need to continue reading his other books. I did check his views on gays etc. and yeah, dude seems to be hardcore mormon to the bone, who doesn't really seem to see gays even being real persons. It's funny how mormons, who believe in much less credible source than Bible (which in itself is just a book written by men) seem to think they know the truth about the world. It's like scientology. He also seems to have problems with evolution and Obama.
- Anon
  
  hes still one of the greatest science fiction writers thats ever existed.
- Elbak
  
  You can like a story without liking the source. You can also appreciate someone's talents without agreeing with their philosophical perspective. Me, I feel sorry for homophobic people. Their fear is indicative of some sort of internal conflict (I'm not saying they're closet homosexuals), and is usually learned during childhood. I try not to hate, because feeding hatred allows it to breed. And it's a destructive parasite. Back on topic: I'm cautiously optimistic. Enjoyed the book, and I like Harrison. I hope this will be good.
  - lauratanor
    
    I just mostly feel sorry for people that think it's a fear.
    - Elbak
      
      Please enlighten me, then. Or are you just trolling?
      - lauratanor
        
        It isn't a fear despite the phobia title tacked onto it. It's more of a repulsion toward perversion of the natural. I've never heard anyone say "Woo, those homosexuals are scary".
      - Elbak
        
        LOL, of course not. Most people have trouble admitting what their deepest fears are, though, and usually mask them and express them differently. Why would you think it's a perversion of the natural? Because most people are heterosexual? Most people don't have down syndrome, do you find that repulsive, too? Not trying to be antagonistic, just trying to understand your perspective.
      - JL
        
        No, it's a perversion of the natural because there are parts that go together for reproduction and then there are parts that don't go together for any reason. Now, whether it was made that way or came to be over billions of years (whatever you choose to believe) the fact is that the copulation of opposite sexual organs produces offspring, and that we seek to combine these two opposite parts for pleasure because our bodies crave it. The act of sexual intercourse is necessary for reproduction in nature, and the fact that it is pleasurable ensures that it will take place. That is natural. Whatever gays do, does no such thing. It's unnatural. That's not a matter of opinion.
      - Elbak
        
        So it is unnatural because it doesn't result in reproduction? So, only things that result in reproduction are natural? Or, only lifeforms that reproduce are natural? Does unnatural mean bad? Is the electronic device you used to compose and send your message bad?
      - Gary C.
        
        Our world is over populated due to "natural" reproduction. Gay relationships aren't hurting you or anyone else, they are most likely a natural biological trigger within our species evolution designed to slow down the rate of our growth. Gay couples are more likely to adopt abandoned children from "natural" couples that reproduced by accident because they lacked the foresight to do it responsibly. I am straight but have many gay friends and believe they should have the same rights as anyone else in this world. That being said, I really liked the Ender's series of books. But I don't care for the authors views. He also belongs to the Mormon cult, which I am surrounded with here in Utah, but that doesn't mean his books aren't worth reading for the philosophical ideas presented in them. They are very good.
      - Elbak
        
        I don't think homosexuality is designed to curb population growth. Nature is much more efficient than that. If it were, we would likely see larger percentages of homosexuality in higher population density areas. The way I see it, sexuality has more to do with what pleasure triggers we have. Human beings are complex organisms with complex brains, and our pleasure triggers run the gamut, and can vary drastically from person to person. That's why we all like different things. Nature likes variety. This of course is going to carry over into sexuality, which is actually more of a spectrum than people realize, probably because we like to define and categorize things. It's all natural, and people's sex lives are none of my business, and I don't really care what they do anyway, unless it's causing someone harm. Why should I?
      - Scopedog
        
        "But I don't care for the authors views. He also belongs to the Mormon cult, which I am surrounded with here in Utah, but that doesn't mean his books aren't worth reading for the philosophical ideas presented in them. They are very good." Exactly.
      - earthlingdave
        
        I'm sorry, but your comments are offensive. Homosexuality exists in nature. If everything done in the bedroom was to promote reproduction, why do you not have a problem with oral sex or other forms of stimulation? (Are the mouth and genitals meant to "go together"?) Homosexuality, quite naturally, has always been with us and, therefore, is not a perversion of anything. As a gay man I think this is the type of limited thinking that has created a hostile environment for anyone growing up gay, being labeled "unnatural" and "perverted." The fact that you can say those things without embarrassment speaks to your character.
  - Scopedog
    
    Agreed. I love H.P. Lovecraft's stories, even though the man himself was a bigot. Some of our greatest writers and creators weren't exactly nice folks. Hoping for the best with this film--loved the book also, and it looks like the makers of the film are working hard to make sure that it's a solid adaptation.
    - Phil K
      
      Usual "bigot" shouts from politically correct halfwits who are MORE arrogant and you don't have to dig too deep to find plenty of bigotry with THEM too (heterophobia, anti-protestantism, anti-semitism etc etc etc)
      - Scopedog
        
        "...and you don't have to dig too deep to find plenty of bigotry with THEM too (heterophobia, anti-protestantism, anti-semitism etc etc etc)" ...And there's a great deal of truth in that--most sites you'll find a comment from someone who acts like they're above all of us pipsqueaks (for various reasons) and yet they'll drop a homophobic, racist, anti-religious, and yes, more frequently, anti-semitic line of nonsense. Proving, as Chad C. Mulligan would say, that they're ignorant idiots.
  - Phil K
    
    Ah !! The usual "If you don't grovel to homos you're homosexual yourself" laughable twaddle ! Originally developed by radical gays and lesbians in the 70's and used by them ever since.......something original called for I think, but hell you pink nazis lot aren't known for your sense of humour or originality are you ? Plenty of talented gays - but they tended not to be hypocrite ranters. Plen....actually no - theres NO talented lesbians. Just lots and lots of professional whiners.
    - Elbak
      
      Do you have trouble with reading? I never suggested anyone was homosexual. In fact, I tried to make it clear I wasn't saying that. It sounds like you are pretty absorbed with your hatred, though, so maybe I shouldn't bother you with rational discussion.
- Greg dinskisk
  
  He considers himself a democrat... but he is very homophobic, that's true... I love his writing though...
- lauratanor
  
  I know! What's with people have different viewpoints than you? Ugh.
  - earthlingdave
    
    Didn't say they couldn't have their viewpoint, only that I didn't agree with them. Believe me, I am not surprised in the slightest by homophobia. Ugh indeed.
- TommyTheGreenRanger
  
  Normally Science Fiction writers are ultra Lefties.
  - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7YGEVuJ4mM Carpola
    
    Lovecraft was a bit of a fascist, think he mellowed as he got older, but he didn't like the immigrants.
    - Jericho
      
      so was Robert Heinland 'starship troopers' is hinted its a world Nazi's won in... thats why the movies are so far away from it....
- Leif Dixon
  
  I hate to take the bait of this troll, but earthlingdave, do your research before you make such outlandish statements. Card is a REGISTERED CARD CARRYING DEMOCRAT. Look it up for yourself.
  - earthlingdave
    
    Excuse me, I'm not a troll at all. His social positions are far to the right, a moment of research would show that. He is on the board of the National Organization for Marriage, a group recently labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. He has worked tirelessly to limit the rights of gay Americans. Democrat or not, his current social positions are right-wing.
  - earthlingdave
    
    http://www.rightwingwatch.org/category/people/orson-scott-card
- Jordan
  
  I do find that hilarious. He believes in evolution and stuff, but not in homosexual relationships when chances are that homosexuality is more likely to be accepted and normal in futuristic lifestyles. Day by day homosexuality becomes more normal and included in society. Mass Effect, a game that takes place in 2180 shows this very well. Love that game <3
- Phil K
  
  Yet ANOTHER whining fairy !!!!!!
- DML: Ender's Game lover
  
  Dude, you need to get it strait, Card is a left winger, he is the first to admit it.
nate

The color temps are literally the same as Prometheus' scenes in the ship.
- anon
  
  yeah whats with all spaceship interiors looking blue. Its like not even worth watching a sci fi movie these days when you know all the ships are gonna be blue.
  - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7YGEVuJ4mM Carpola
    
    I know I want them red and on fire and the interiors to look like medieval armour and instead of computers they have to hand write on scrolls to input data.
    - Jericho
      
      i wanted squids....slimy sticky squids....
Anon

that girl there has tits.. these kids are too old!!!
- DAVIDPD
  
  LOL!
l.21

Loved the book. Author is great. Movie looks awesome. Can't wait!
Greg dinskisk

If this is the scene I think it is, Graff isn't actually yelling, but rather complimenting Ender for being 'smarter' than everyone else there, to separate him from other people, making people not want to like him. I could be completely wrong!
- http://www.firstshowing.net/ Alex Billington
  
  Yea, I want to know what scene this actually is! Can't wait to see footage. Hopefully a viral? Something!
  - Greg dinskisk
    
    *Crosses fingers* Have you read any of the books?
DAVIDPD

WTF Asa looks so much older already! Kids...
http://www.ericspiegelphotography.com/ Eric Spiegel

I'm currently re-reading the book and am struck at how much older everyone looks in this shot versus the book. But ultimately, that really doesn't matter, as long as the story, writing, acting, and all that other movie-making stuff is great. I don't think there are enough good quality child actors between 6 and 12 years old out there to make up the cast anyway.
- dandassow
  
  Ender's Game starts with Ender around the age of 6. Obviously Asa Butterfield is too old to play a six year old. I'm hoping that a younger actor plays Ender at the age of six, since this is a essential part of the book.
- Scopedog
  
  Exactly. No film adaptation of a novel will ever get the details 100% right--that's a fanboy fantasy--but as you said, "ultimately, that really doesn't matter, as long as the story, writing, acting, and all that other movie-making stuff is great."
JL

It's hard to tell anything from one pic, but that set looks like pretty high production values. Also, is it just me, or does it seem like Ender should be smaller. A small child who has to do more to overcome obstacles because of his physical shortcomings.
Zax

This is one movie event I refuse to get caught up in any of the trolling negativity. I for one am extremely excited to see this come together.
Locke

Homosexuality is normal to the human species. It's not like there exists a hard-coded standard as to what is normal for humans. Get it? An alien race that studies us would say that homosexuality is part of our culture. We're way past right and wrong. It's just who we are. That's because we have hearts that can love someone beyond the discriminations of sex. Sex is almost besides the point. It's just who we love. What gives you the right to sensor who I love? And no... I'm not homosexual. But I could be if I found that one person who my heart desired was of my own sex. It doesn't matter! Open minds, open hearts.